Stamford Students Win Honors From State Drama Group

From WHS: Westhill High School (WHS) Northstar Playmakers and Stamford High School (SHS) Strawberry Hill Players recently competed against 11 other schools from across the state at the Connecticut Drama Association (CDA) Festival. WHS Northstar Playmakers won 14 awards, including “Outstanding Production Award,” earning the right to represent the state at the 2019 New England Drama Festival (NEDF), hosted by the New England Drama Council (NEDC) and the Rhode Island Theatre Education Association (RITEA). SHS Strawberry Hill Players earned the Theatrical Excellence Award as well as three individual awards.

The CDA Festival is an annual competition in which schools from across Connecticut perform 30-45 minute plays for the opportunity to be recognized for a range of acting and technical awards.

The top two schools from each of the six New England states represent their state at the NEDF. Shows are selected through festivals by each state's high school theatre organization. This the second year in a row that the Northstar Playmakers won Outstanding Production. The NEDF includes workshops and forums to foster the education and discussion of theatre among the attending students and directors.

The Northstar Playmaker’s production of “A Voice in the Dark: A Salem Story” was directed by WHS senior Audrey Molina and was recognized at the CDA for the following:

• Strength of School Award for a Compelling Retelling Reminding Us that the Injustices of the Past Should Never Be Repeated

• Outstanding Production Award

• Outstanding Scenery

• Outstanding Makeup

• Outstanding Use of Voice

• The Stage Manager’s Award

• Directing Excellence Award, Audrey Molina (WHS Senior)

• Outstanding Actress Award, Franki Mastrone (WHS Junior)

• All-Connecticut Cast Acting Award, Sydney Steinberg (WHS Senior)

• All-Connecticut Cast Acting Award, Ava Mastrone (WHS Junior)

• Honorable Mention Acting Award, Lilah Steinberg (WHS Sophomore)

• Honorable Mention Acting Award, Alexandra Watkinson (WHS Senior)

• Honorable Mention Acting Award, Kelly Fox (WHS Junior)

• The Spirit Award for the Ensemble, which includes Ellie Balestriere (WHS Junior), Eva Mitskevitch (WHS Sophomore), Samantha Nieves (WHS Freshman), Bethany Welliver (WHS Junior), Oliva Wenke (WHS Junior), and Sophia Zanga (AITE Junior)

SHS Strawberry Hill Players presented "Leaves," and took home the following:

• Theatrical Excellence Award

• Outstanding Actress Award, Maddie Maxfield (SHS Freshman)

• All-Connecticut Cast Acting awards, Alex Wynne (SHS Sophomore) and Becca Ferrante (SHS Senior)